provide advice about burying a Canadian citizen and detailed information on local interment options, associated costs, funeral service providers and documentation requirements
help to repatriate the embalmed or cremated remains of the deceased to Canada as soon as possible, including providing information on the transport requirements of the countries of origin, transit and destination
help to identify the remains of a Canadian citizen if local authorities, family members or friends are unable to do so
provide a list of laboratories offering forensic identification services (DNA, dental record, fingerprint analysis)
initiate the process of notifying next of kin, usually with assistance from local police in Canada
help to return personal effects to Canada or make arrangements for their disposal in another country
help to obtain appropriate documentation, including a death certificate, autopsy report and official police report, if applicable
authenticate a local death certificate for insurance or repatriation purposes
help to obtain information from local authorities on the circumstances surrounding the death
help to obtain information on police investigations, arrests and court proceedings, if the death was the result of murder or suicide
help to obtain the necessary documentation for insurance companies to facilitate the payment or investigation of a claim
Consular officials cannot:
pay for the burial, cremation or repatriation of a deceased Canadian
use the Distressed Canadian Fund to repatriate remains
pay for the handling or shipment of personal effects to Canada
interfere in private legal matters relating to death, such as care of dependents and financial planning
translate official documents, such as a death certificates or autopsy reports
provide legal advice on such issues as estate law, wills and trusts
investigate the death of a Canadian citizen or intervene in a local investigation of the death